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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth seized control of Tuesday's Empire 8 women's basketball contest against St. John Fisher early in the opening period, and the Golden Flyers maintained their lead throughout the second half to defeat the Cardinals 65-50. Freshman Lindsey Kelly amassed a game-high 21 points while senior Erica Shaw added 14 points. 

With the victory, Nazareth jumps into a three-way tie for fourth place in the Empire 8 standings with a 6-6 record. Fisher and Stevens also stand at 6-6 in conference games. The Golden Flyers are 9-14 overall while the Cardinals stand at 11-12 overall after Tuesday's game. The top four teams in the Empire 8 earn a spot in the Conference Tournament on February 22nd-23rd. The Golden Flyers close the regular season with a home game on Friday against Elmira before traveling to conference-leading Ithaca on Saturday.

Nazareth only trailed for 23 seconds, 6-5, after a three-point basket by Fisher. On the Golden Flyers' ensuing possession, freshman Veronica Peck answered with a shot from beyond the arc to reclaim Nazareth's lead just over four minutes into the game.

The Golden Flyers' stingy defense allowed Fisher to score only nine points through the first 11 minutes of the game to establish their lead. The Cardinals managed only five baskets on 30 shots (17 percent) in the opening period. Nazareth's stifling defense held Fisher without a field goal for over eight minutes.

Nazareth stretched its lead to 10 points, 23-13, before settling for a 24-15 advantage at the break.

After Fisher's Claire Walsh connected on a three-point shot only 10 seconds into the second period, Nazareth sophomore Hannah Runyon answered with a three-point basket to maintain the Golden Flyers' momentum. The Cardinals closed to within five points, 27-22, but Nazareth responded with a 12-6 run to extend its lead to double-digits with about 13 minutes remaining in regulation.

During the Golden Flyers' decisive scoring run, Fisher's leading scorer, Portia Velasco, fouled out. Velasco collected her fifth foul with 14:40 to play.

For the game, the Cardinals connected on only 32 percent (21-65) of their field goal attempts. In the Cardinals' victory over the Golden Flyers on January 15th, Fisher made 43 percent from the field.

The Golden Flyers, meanwhile, made 48 percent (22-46) of their shots from the floor. Nazareth's offense shot a torrid 63 percent (14-22) on their field goals in the period, including 67 percent (4-6) of their three-point shots. Following the game, Coach Devin Gotham commented on the Golden Flyers improving offensively and defensively throughout the season and during the game.

Nazareth also converted 16 free throw opportunities, including eight for eight from the charity stripe in the final two minutes to secure the victory.

In likely her last game against the Cardinals, Shaw, a fifth-year senior, tallied 11 of Nazareth's 13 points in the closing minutes of the game to thwart Fisher's hopes of a rally. Kelly also added a layup during the span.

The Golden Flyers dominated the glass with a 46-29 advantage in total rebounds. Sophomore Melissa Reeves collected a game-high 11 boards to help Nazareth assert its control. The Golden Flyers maintained their lead despite committing 20 turnovers during the course of the game.

Eight players recorded points to spread Nazareth's scoring. In addition to the points from Kelly and Shaw, Peck finished with eight points while Runyon and junior Megan Morrison each added six points. Reeves recorded five points while sophomores Maria Allocco and Michelle Melanson chipped in three points and two points, respectively.

Although she fouled out with over 14 minutes remaining in regulation, Velasco still finished with a team-high 14 points for the Cardinals. Camaryn Buckner added 10 points.

Nazareth's home game on Friday against Elmira tips at 6 p.m. The Golden Flyers' Saturday game at Ithaca is scheduled for 2 p.m.